Khartoum (AFP) - Shelling killed a four-year-old girl and an Ethiopian peacekeeper in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations mission said Friday.
Abyei has been contested since Sudan split into two countries in 2011 and there have been tensions between the Arab Misseriya and Ngok Dinka peoples in the region.
In Thursday's attack, seven shells were fired, five of which landed near the home of the Ngok Dinka chief and one inside the residence's compound, said UNISFA, the United Nations interim security force for Abyei.
"The incident resulted in the death of one Ethiopian military officer and a four-year-old girl from the local community. Three other locals were wounded."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and said those responsible should be brought to justice.
The UN chief urged Sudan and South Sudan to help the mission promote dialogue between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.
"He calls on both communities to remain calm and avoid any escalation of this tragic incident," a spokesman said.
The mission said it had placed several units in the area on high alert.
UNISFA warned the attack could lead to further violence, labelling it the work of "anti-peace elements who do not want to see peace return to Abyei".
It was not possible to reach the Sudanese military for comment, and the South Sudanese army said they had no information about the shelling.
South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011 under a peace deal signed to end 22 years of bloody civil war in the country.
Newer articles:
- Sudan-South Sudan rematch Tuesday in Cecafa quarterfinals - 29/11/2015 00:03
- South Sudan : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns attack in border town, exiled leaders return in hopes for peace - 28/11/2015 11:39
- S. Sudan's exiled leaders return in hopes for peace - 27/11/2015 23:41
- South Sudan president vows commitment to peace deal amid fears of collapse - 27/11/2015 22:18
- Pope holds private meeting with president of warring South Sudan - 27/11/2015 13:11
Older news items
- 16,000 children in South Sudan forced into conflict this year: UN - 27/11/2015 08:42
- South Sudan reach Cecafa Cup quarter-finals - 27/11/2015 08:40
- South Sudan Monitoring Group Says Peace Enactment Is Too Slow - 27/11/2015 08:06
- UN: 2 Killed in Border Town Between South Sudan and Sudan - 27/11/2015 07:34
- South Sudan food team finds risk of "widespread catastrophe" - 27/11/2015 00:24
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan can leverage China’s AI path to bridge the digital divide - 16/09/2026 16:04
- Credible Elections Are No Longer Possible in South Sudan - What Next? - 16/09/2026 15:59
- South Sudan's president replaces electoral chief three months before scheduled polls - 16/09/2026 15:56
- Turkish Airlines is pulling out of 5 African routes, including South Sudan - 16/09/2026 15:23
- ‘Super El Niño’ deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan – WFP - 16/09/2026 15:19
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan forces withdraw from VP Machar's home - 28/03/2022 21:42
- Sudan vote set to extend Bashir rule as opposition boycotts - 09/04/2015 16:40
- South Sudan: 'There were three truck loads of bodies after the first night' - 12/04/2014 15:52
- Egypt sends 2nd plane with coronavirus aid to South Sudan - 22/05/2020 02:00
- Urgent need for mental healthcare in South Sudan after decades of war - Gant Daily - 27/08/2012 10:32
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 149629 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28117 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25198 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24466 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22417 times
